I Don't Like Birthday Parties

August 16, 2021
Gaspari sheds light on sensory sensitivity in this heartfelt picture book, which centers Lucas, a light brown–skinned boy who dislikes the overwhelming atmosphere endemic of birthday parties: “Every party was the same. Loud! Crowded. Chaotic.” Despite his deep desire to enjoy parties as his peers do, Lucas’s latest party invitation leads to the same experiences: discomfort at loud noises and music, the slimy feeling of temporary tattoos, getting jostled by other children in the bounce house, and the bright flashes of cameras. But with the help of dark-haired, light-skinned “Kate from his class,” Lucas realizes that there might be a way to celebrate that better suits him. Gaspari grounds the text with evocative descriptions and accessible dialogue as Kalla’s warm, simple pencil and watercolor illustrations depict dot-eyed children of varying abilities, skin tones, and hair textures. A gentle encouragement of adaptation over assimilation for those who experience sensory overload. Back matter features a note from a consultant clinical psychologist. Ages 5–8.

September 15, 2021
Unlike the other kids he knows, Lucas does not like birthday parties: He finds them chaotic and loud and overwhelming. Lucas wishes that he could like parties the way that all of his friends seem to instead of just standing in the corner and watching. The next time he receives a party invitation, he decides to go and to be extra brave. When he gets to the party, a girl offers him a temporary tattoo. He takes it even though he finds it "slimy and sticky" and altogether unpleasant. He then gets into the bounce house, where he is "bumped right and banged left." He even tries to be in the party photo, but the flash hurts his eyes. Finally, in frustration, he crawls under the table--where he meets a girl named Kate who also doesn't like birthday parties. Kate tells him that hers are small and quiet, with only a few friends. Lucas realizes that he does like birthday parties--he just likes ones that are a little different than what you would expect. The protagonist's plight is explored with empathy and clarity. However, it is not clear until the end that Lucas is being brave because he is struggling to plan his own party, which makes the book's final pages feel disconnected from the main storyline. Lucas has very light brown skin, and Kate is pale. (This book was reviewed digitally.) An empathetic picture book about being a little bit different. (Picture book. 3-6)

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